Exterior Mural,
43' 3" × 14' 9"

Sriperumbudur,
Tamil Nadu

May, 2026

The mural reimagines Pondur as a place where craft, creativity, and ecological awareness flow into one another. Located within the Kanchipuram district and approximately 40 kilometers from Cholamandal Artists' Village, the mural draws from a landscape shaped by traditions of making, artistic practice, and a visceral relationship with the environment.
It begins with the rituals of everyday life and gathering. At its heart is a celebration of the act of making, the work people do with their hands every day. These gestures carry knowledge, skills, and stories across generations, reflecting ways of living rooted in care, resourcefulness, and a connection to place.
As we move through the painted surface, a child appears, painting images of a future emerging from familiar scenes of semi-urban life and speculative possibilities. Homes, streets, and shared spaces coexist with a herd of air-based irrigation units, imagining technology that works alongside people to conserve resources and support local ecosystems. Here, sustainability is presented as an extension of existing practices of adaptation and collective care.
References to Kanchipuram's weaving heritage and the legacy of Cholamandal appear throughout the composition. The presence of S. Nandagopal (grandson of KCS Paniker) presenting a sculpture creates a bridge between these histories of craft and art. Together, these elements form a portrait of the enduring human desire to create, adapt, and imagine more resilient futures.